Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Pediatric Palliative Care: New Tools for Hope and Healing (TH118A)

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Pediatric Palliative Care: New Tools for Hope and Healing (TH118A)

Waldman E; Adrian C; Spence D

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

2023

Palliative Care; Hallucinogens

Outcomes: 1. Upon successful completion, participants will self-report the ability to describe the current state of research around the use of psychedelic-assisted therapies in palliative care 2. Upon successful completion, participants will self-report the ability to describe possible applications of psychedelic-assisted therapies within the context of pediatric palliative care There is considerable buzz in both the scientific and popular literature around the current renaissance in the exploration of potential roles for psychedelic-assisted therapies in a number of settings, including for individuals facing serious illness and existential distress. Emerging data have been very exciting, and expectations are that, in line with a widening pipeline of clinical trials, the FDA may soon reschedule compounds such as MDMA and psilocybin and grant approval for their use for several indications, including some fundamentally relevant to the field of palliative care in its widest ambit. Additionally, efforts are underway in a number of states to decriminalize and even legalize some of these substances. Almost all the formal research work to date has focused on adult patients. However, the three presenters, all involved in various facets of research and practice in psychedelic-assisted therapy, contend that there are several possible applications for psychedelic-assisted therapies within pediatric palliative care that also deserve serious attention. We will review the current state of research on psychedelic therapies in the context of adults facing serious illness and those who care for them, and then will go on to discuss possible applications within pediatric palliative care. These include psychedelic-assisted therapy for anxiety and depression in parents of children facing serious illness, for children facing serious illness (with discussion of potential differences between adolescents and young adults versus younger children), and for clinicians caring for children facing serious illness. The presenters will also discuss work they are directly involved in looking at the use of psilocybin-assisted bereavement support for parents. Participants will leave with an understanding of the current state of research and legislation around psychedelic-assisted therapies, as well as potential applications within the context of pediatric palliative care and possible next steps in advancing the field.

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April List 2023